Gary
Franklin Photo
Pictured above, "To the victor goes the spoils"
as senior Cory Strunk returns from mid-field with
the 2011 IHSAA Sectional Championship trophy, he and
the hardware are engulfed by Indian teammates as the
victory celebration esculated to a new level. Many
battle scars from beginning to end, but a well deserved
victory for a team that has stood tall through thick
and thin all year. Best of Luck Indians in regional
action at Linton-Stockton HS against the Miners on
Saturday, November 12 The kick-off is slated for 5:30
p.m.

2011
Milan Indian football team adds sectional title to their successful
season

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Following
a very positive and most productive 2011 Milan Indian football
team regular season led by head coach Ryan Langferman and
his assistants, a 5-0 conference championship was only the
beginning.
In continuing they put together an 8-1 overall season, before
sweeping their three game sectional to advance to regional
action at Linton-Stockton HS where they will battle the Miners
on Saturday evening, November 12, with a slated kick-off time
set at 5:30 p.m.
Milan Indian Sectional Championship game
A dismal beginning overshadowed the Indians as they competed
against the North Decatur Chargers at NDHS on Friday, November
3, for the sectional championship as the Chargers put together
a drive for a TD and PAT to take a 7-0 lead at 9:12.
Adding injury to insult, just three minutes later in the first
quarter's action, the Chargers scored a second TD and PAT
to take a 14-0 lead over the Indians.
Unwilling to fold under the initial down slide, at 5:53 Indian
senior Cory Strunk #23 carried the football across the goal
line on his 39 yard run to put Milan on the board at 6-14.
The attempted PAT by Pennington went wide.
Starting to feel a little relief from the TD scored, the tribe
was unable to deter a third TD score by the Chargers in the
remaining time of the first period. With 2:43 on the clock,
ND added the TD but failed to connect on the PAT attempt,
advancing their lead to 20-6.
With just 23 seconds remaining in the first period, Indian
Strunk #23 put his second TD of the evening in the score book
with his 7 yard run. Again Pennington's PAT kick attempt veered
wide, leaving the score heading into second period action
North Decatur 20-12 Milan.
Second Quarter scoring
The Chargers managed to add a TD and PAT combination at 7:40
of the second quarter, advancing their lead to 15 points at
27-12.
A 17 yard TD run by Indian Strunk #23 sparked new life in
the tribe at the 3:14 mark, but what had become an unusual
stigma on this night, the PAT attempt was again denied.
Heading to the locker room at the halftime break, trailing
by just 9 points (18-27) generated a positive feeling for
the Indians and their faithful followers.
However an injury to senior quarterback Zack Lewis #12 left
an untested challenge with Gavin Detraz coming into his first
varsity game with the team's most important game to date hanging
in the balance.
Third quarter scoring
In third quarter action, the Indians held the Chargers scoreless,
while Strunk #23 added his fourth TD of the game off his 5
yard run into the end zone at the 2:17 mark. Teammate Pennington
#10 connected on his PAT attempt, cutting the tribe's deficit
to a mere two points at 25-27 with the entire fourth quarter
yet to be played.
Fourth Quarter scoring
Just 56 seconds into quarter four, Milan enjoyed their first
lead of the game off a fifth TD score by #23 Strunk with his
successful 21 yard scoring run. Adding the PAT, Pennington
#10 edged the tribe's lead to five at 32-27 over North Decatur.
Further injuries to Indian players prompted the team to dig
deeper and get the job done.
Milan players stepped up to the challenge of the day, earning
the sectional championship title and an even deeper respect
by those who follow them.
In summary
The battle included many chills, spills, thrills and injuries
galore, but Milan held off the Charger attempt at a comeback
to claim their well deserved team victory.
Go Indians!
Milan game stats vs
No. Decatur Chargers
Time of Possession
Milan 23:44 - 24:16 ND
Penalties
Milan 5/26-5/31 ND
Fumbles
Milan 2/2 - 2/2 ND
Passing Yards
Milan 7 - 156 ND
Rushing Yards
Milan 388 - 199 ND
First Downs
Milan 19 - 20 ND
Individual Indian stats
Rushing
#23 Strunk, Cory 38 A / 380 Y & 5 TD's
#10 Pennington, Scott
5 A/ 22Y
#14 Detraz, Gavin
2 A/ 0Y
#12 Lewis, Zack
3 A / -14 Y
Passing
#12 Lewis, Zack
1 Comp / 3 A for 7 Y
#14 Detraz, Gavin
1 A/ 0Y
Receiving
#15 Mays, Willie 1 Rec/ 7 Y
Fumbles
#12 Lewis, Zack 1F/ 1FL
#14 Detraz, Gavin 1F/ FL
Kicking
#10 Pennington, Scott
0 FG / 1A + 2XP
Kickoffs
#10 Pennington, Scott
6/ 171 Y
Kickoff Returns
#19 Spurlock, Jon
2 A / 60Y
#21 Money, Tyler
2 A / 35 Y
#33 Thompson, Sam
1 A / 10 Y
Punt Returns
#23 Strunk, Cory 2/ 59 Y
Total Offense
#23 trunk, Cory
5 TD's / 30 pts
#10 Pennington, Scott
2 PAT's / 2 pts
Defense Interceptions
#25 Kimla, Kurtis 1 Int.
Sectional action scores
Milan Indians 32
North Decatur Chargers 27
Milan Indians 24
Indy Lutheran Saints 20
Milan Indians 21
Sp. Valley Blackhawks 6
Regular season scores
Milan Indians 27
Triton Central Tigers 0
Milan Indians 49
Edinburgh Lancers 7
Milan Indians 31
South Decatur Cougars 0
Milan Indians 36
Indian Creek Braves 29
Milan Indians 41
North Decatur Chargers 28
Milan Indians 13
Eastern Hancock 10
Milan Indians 27
Lawrenceburg Tigers 7
*Milan Indians 7*
*Batesville Bulldogs 34*
Milan Indians 41
Northeastern Knights 19